NRL 2020: AJ Brimson turned down Sydney moves, sacrificed $500,000 to remain with Titans
He was snubbed by the Brisbane Broncos as a junior and now Titans star AJ Brimson has made a huge financial sacrifice to make the Gold Coast an NRL powerhouse.
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AJ Brimson’s stunning loyalty to the Titans can be revealed with the Queensland Origin hopeful giving up $500,000 by rejecting huge offers from Sydney clubs in his quest to make the Gold Coast a premiership force.
Brimson has emerged as one of the NRL’s form players and will look to inflict more pain on the Broncos club that snubbed him as a junior when the Titans tackle Brisbane at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Brimson has been in sensational touch since returning from a broken back, helping the Titans notch three wins from their past five games.
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In November last year, Brimson rejected big-money offers from rival clubs to commit to the Titans until at least the end of 2022 and has outlined his desire to remain at the Gold Coast for the rest of his career.
Brimson grew up in Brisbane before entering Keebra Park’s famed system on the Gold Coast, but he could not attract the attention of the Broncos despite his older brother playing for them.
“AJ’s brother Will actually played for the Broncos. Will was in their under-20s side but they basically let him go and the Broncos never really had their eye on AJ,” said Brimson’s manager Jim Banaghan.
“When Will was at the Broncos, AJ was living on the Gold Coast in the under-16s and he came through the system. He was never really a standout in the 16s and 18s, he was a good player but I wouldn’t say he was an absolute standout.
“The Broncos never regarded AJ in the same bracket as their elite kids, so they were no real threat when the Titans snapped him up.
“AJ has just jumped out of the ground in the last few years. I would call him a late developer in some ways. He not only has great speed off the mark, but he has toughness, courage and a great attitude.
“He only signed a new deal with the Titans last year (in November) and I was blown away by his attitude in contract negotiations.
“AJ received two big offers from Sydney clubs, he could have made a lot more money if he went down south, but he gave me the strongest instructions - he said ‘just sign me to the Gold Coast’.
“I was stunned. I have never seen a kid I’ve managed show so much loyalty to the Titans. He had zero interest in leaving to chase the cash in Sydney. He said ‘I’m a Gold Coast boy, I’m staying at the Titans’.
“AJ said he wanted to help make the Titans a force. The Gold Coast were the wooden spooners at the time and Sydney clubs were desperate to get him, but AJ said ‘no, I want to stay home and make the Titans a successful team’.”
Brimson has been a revelation in his six games this season since overcoming a fractured spine suffered in the Perth Nines.
He has scored three tries, made 10 line breaks and busted 24 tackles to give the Titans a genuine attacking threat in the midfield.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook was blown away by Brimson when he arrived at the club in November last year and made it his No. 1 priority to re-sign the Queensland Origin prospect.
“I love AJ, from the minute I came in in November I saw him and I love little dynamic fullbacks who are strong and quick,” Holbrook said.
“That’s what the big guys fear the most in the middle of the field.
“It took us forever to get him right but that was the most important part.
“We had a couple of setbacks with him, but I said we have to pull right back and get him 100 per cent. He’s only a young guy with a huge future.
“It’s no coincidence we’re playing a lot better since he’s come back, because he’s one of those top-line players with genuine speed. He’s only going to get better. He’s only so young and still learning.
“I’m thrilled he’s part of our club for the next few years.”
If Brimson continues his meteoric rise he is certain to attract more interest when he next comes off contract.
But after 42 NRL games for the Gold Coast he has no intentions to leave the Titans and wants to make them an NRL force in the coming years.
“Gold Coast is my home and I get along really well with the staff and playing group,” Brimson said.
“I’m contracted until 2022 so that’s where my mind is. The Gold Coast will be my number one option so that’s where I want to stay and play.
“Hopefully we can finish off the year with some wins. We’ve got a good run home so hopefully we can take advantage of that.”